2010 festival souvenir program booklet

Preserving Our History and Culturefor Future Generations

FeaturingEthnic Food, Dance, Music

and Displays, includingWAMCC’s Historic Photo Gallery

April 10, 2010

At theWeirton Thomas E. Millsop Community Center

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………….

Letter from Dennis Jones, President WAMCC……………………………………………

Letter from Dr. Juginder Luthra, Chairman WAMCC Festival Committee………………

Letter from Weirton Mayor Mark Harris………………………………………………….

Letter from WV State Senator Edwin J. Bowman………………………………………...

Letter from United States Senator Robert C. Byrd………………………………………..

Before There was a Weirton………………………………………………………………

History All Around Us: The Legacy of Weirton Steel Company………………………..

Contributions from Individuals, Businesses, and Organizations……………………….....

2010 Festival of Nations Committee Volunteers………………………………………….

2010 Festival of Nations Vendor Tables………………………………………………….

2010 Festival of Nations Displays………………………………………………………...

2010 Festival of Nations OPENING CEREMONIES…………………………………….

2010 Festival of Nations CULTURAL PROGRAM……………………………………...

8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line ………..….………………………...

The Impact of Pizza While Growing Up Italian ………..………………………………...

Out of the Blue (American Blue Grass)…………………………………………………...

Pizzelles ……………………………………….………………………………………….

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church…………………………………………………………….

Gus’s Goodies……………………………………………………………………………..

Dances of India……………………………………………………………………………

The Italian-American Community………………………………………………………...

Greece……………………………………………………………………………………..

Mt. Olive Baptist Church………………………………………………………………….

WV / Ohio Line Dancers………………………………………………………………….

Weirton’s Polish Community……………………………………………………………..

In Honor of………………………………………………………………………………...

In Memory of……………………………………………………………………………...

Bronze Medal Supporters…………………………………………………………………

Silver Medal Supporters…………………………………………………………………..

Gold Medal Supporters……………………………………………………………………

Festival Sponsors………………………………………………………………………….

History Sources at the Museum Gift Shop………………………………………………..

WAMCC’s Historic Picture Calendar Collector Series…………………………………...

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P.O. Box 517 - Weirton, WV 26062

“The Total Product”

If you look up the word “Culture” in a dictionary, you will likely find that it is defined in many

ways. One statement I have come to like is the following: “Culture is the total product of hu-

man creativity and intellect.” Today is a day of fun and entertainment as that product is deliv-

ered to you, our guests. The “Festival of Nations Committee” of the Weirton Area Museum

and Cultural Center will bring back the tradition that started in Weirton during the Great De-

pression, on Labor Day, 1934. The festival was then organized by the Employees Representa-

tives of the Weirton Steel Company to help ease employee - management relations and bring

comfort to Weirton’s melting pot of 42 nationalities, as they watched their native homeland tra-

ditions performed on stage. In the difficult economic times of today, we hope you will find en-

joyment, as you experience the “cultural” food, music, singing, dancing, and displays, which

portray several nationalities that make up our area.

On behalf of Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, we wish to recognize our Festival

Committee and its Chairman, Dr. Juginder Luthra, for doing such an eloquent job in making

this return event a success. We also wish to thank the many businesses and individuals, who

have provided funding, media coverage, and other means of support for the event. Finally, we

applaud all of the performers, table groups, and audience. Many of the above have traveled a

good distance or made unobserved personal sacrifices to deliver this wonderful product of to-

getherness we will experience today. THANK YOU ALL !

Dennis R. Jones

President Weirton Area Museum & Cultural Center

Page 2

P.O. Box 517 - Weirton, WV 26062

THANKS

The success of any function or organization depends on the dreams fulfilled with sweat and

hard work of many individuals working together like a well oiled machine. Festival of Nations

is one such event where all the committee members of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural

Center, several area residents, businesses and the city of Weirton have given unconditional sup-

port for this day of celebration.

The efforts go beyond the border of our town. In addition to the talented performers from

Weirton, artists from Pittsburgh, Washington, PA, Youngstown, Wellsburg, New Cumberland,

Steubenville, Wintersville and other places have come to Weirton to participate in ethnic

dances, music, food and displays.

As the chairman of WAMCC’s Festival Committee, I personally wish to thank each and every

individual who helped make the arrangements for the Festival of Nations, 2010. Our gratitude

is also due to the hundreds of people who took time out of their busy schedule to attend and en-

joy the Festival. The media, in particular Weirton Daily Times, WEIR radio, The River 103,

WQED Television channel from Pittsburgh, and others have spread the word. We sincerely

thank them.

There is no better way of seeing the melting pot live in action. The unity in diversity is what

makes our country great. Having arrived from various countries, we all bring different flavors

of our ethnic background while gradually assimilating the culture of the adopted homeland. We

are better and stronger together than any individual or a group can ever be.

Have a great time and we look forward to many such Festivals in Weirton.

Junginder K. Luthra

Chairman, WAMCC Festival Committee

Page 3

The above photo was taken June 2, 2009, by Dennis Jones. The area shown represents the valley that was once named Holliday’sCove. Cove Road is shown in the right-center of picture. The grassy area up on the right of Cove Road is where Cove School oncestood. The blue train bridge on the left is crossing Harmon’s Creek. The area just above that was once called New Cumberland Jct.and later called Weirton Jct. Hilltop in the center is Marland Heights. In the far distance, the Veterans Memorial Bridge is seen cross-ing the Ohio River. The area on this side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge was once called Edgington and Wheeling Junction.

Page 4

Before There Was a WeirtonSubmitted by Dennis R. Jones

Page 7

Holliday’s Cove in the year 1905

The above photo and verse are from an old post card, which Art Miser provided to be scanned. Theview is looking northward through the valley of Holliday’s Cove, four years before Ernest T. Weir, hisbrother David M. Weir, and their partner John C. Williams came here to expand their Clarksburg plant -The Phillips Sheet & Tin Plate Company. The picture shows the peaceful village consisting of farm-land, apple orchards, the rippling waters of Harmon Creek, and the railroad. The hill on the left is whatwould become Marland Heights. The hill on the upper right would become Weirton Heights. Thewagon road seen on the left is the Steubenville & Pittsburgh Pike (also called the Holliday’s Cove Turn-pike). Present-day Main Street and Cove Road now overlay that main pathway of the early years. Visi-ble buildings in the picture include the Cove Presbyterian Church (in the center with the steeple) andCove School (large 2-story frame building in center). This Cove School building (one of several thatwere built here) burned to the ground in December of 1909 (the year when Weirton was established justnorth of here). Also visible is Harmon’s Creek, which was named after the first settler here - HarmonGreathouse. On the right is the New Cumberland Junction Railroad Station, which was built in the year1887, when the new railroad was completed to serve the brickyards of New Cumberland and northward.Just to the left of the railroad station you can see the baseball diamond, where the Holliday’s Cove base-ball team played. The baseball field is located on the other side of Harmon’s Creek today.

If you have old pictures or post cards of our area, please bring them to the museum to be scanned (likethe one above was). This will insure that captured moment in time will not be lost, and it will be pre-served for future generations. - Dennis Jones, WAMCC President

When visitors drive in downtown Weirton for the first time, or when

motorists travel the highway through Weirton, they see what remains of

the Weirton Steel Company. It’s hard to imagine by looking at the

large, rusting, labyrinth of old buildings and innumerable smokestacks

that at one time this mostly silent plant was a bustling enterprise of

nearly 12,000 employees. The mill was the very soul of our valley for

almost 100 years. And who were the workers who labored at those jobs

in the mill? They were mostly immigrants. Men and women from all

parts of the world converged in this valley to work in the mill. In some

cases, it seemed that entire villages from the “Old Country” had trans-

ferred to Weirton. The village of Gallo Matese in the Campania region of Italy was one such

place. The families from this village came to Weirton because they had relatives here and word

of work being available at the mills in Weirton had traveled back to Gallo. The immigrants

would not feel so “alone” in a new country if they came to a town with others from the “old

country.”

The citizens of Weirton owe a debt of gratitude to the mill not only because without it many

people would not have had a job, but their ancestors might not have come to the area in the first

place and therefore they would not be here. Knowing this information and looking at the old

rundown buildings of the Weirton Steel Company, the visitor begins to feel the importance of

this history. Even if the visitor is not interested in the many hundreds of thousands of lives the

mill has touched in Weirton, one should be aware of the millions of lives the Weirton Steel

Company saved during the most important war in modern history, the Second World War.

Not only did the Weirton Steel Company give over 5,000 of its employees to Uncle Sam’s

Army, the men and women who were left on the home front went into the mills to work in this

now vital production center. Up until the beginning of the war, the majority of Weirton Steel’s

production was domestic steel. By 1942, less than one year after Pearl Harbor, Weirton Steel

Company’s production was 100% for the war effort. The Company produced steel in record

amounts. Also, more than eight new and unusual, but essential, products were manufactured in

Weirton. They produced everything from new metal alloys to electro-coated tinplate, which

was very essential because the Japanese had cut off the import of tin. Most importantly, Weir-

ton Steel took on jobs that other steel mills would not attempt. Brass, copper, magnesium, and

silver chloride were rolled on the regular steel rolling machines. The rolling of brass was one

of the most outstanding accomplishments the Weirton Steel Company was a

part of. This feat made Weirton Steel, not only a leader in steel production,

but almost overnight the nation’s sixth largest producer of rolled brass.

History All Around Us: The Legacy of the Weirton Steel CompanySubmitted by Paul J. Zuros

Page 8

In the spring of 1944, Weirton Steel took on an-

other important job for the country. They began

the production of the only “finished” product

made at Weirton Steel. The 8-inch High Explo-

sive Howitzer Shell. This shell was made entirely

at Weirton Steel. Men and women built, ran, and

maintained the special machines required to pro-

duce the shells thus, the workers were highly effi-

cient. At the peak of production, over 70,000 of

these 200 pound shells were produced by the men

and women of Weirton each month, breaking re-

cord after record. Also in 1944, the United States

Government gave Weirton Steel the coveted Army-Navy “E” award for excellence in war pro-

duction. This award was a very important sign of gratitude by the government to the men and

women of Weirton Steel.

Finally, another top-secret product was made at Weirton Steel. A critical component for the

atomic bomb was manufactured in the plant. The bombs that were dropped on Japan resulted in

ending the war and saving countless American lives that would have been lost if the war was

prolonged. Weirton Steel has truly changed the world with this achievement.

Of the 12,000 employees of Weirton Steel, thousands came from all over the world to find a

better life in the USA. These same men and women who worked in the mill during the war

were doing their part to defend their adoptive country and to make sure that their uncles, broth-

ers, fathers, and sons would come home safely from the fighting front.

Today, the idled smokestacks of the Weirton Steel Company that meet visitors when they enter

Weirton may be perceived as eyesores that are

deteriorating with the passage of time, but to

the native of Weirton who knows the history,

these are the monuments to the struggles of

their ancestors. Those brave immigrants left

their home countries and their families to find

a better life for their children in a strange land.

Today, we honor our ancestors, their heritage,

and the struggles that made it possible for us to

live in the United States. We are continuing

the tradition that was started back in 1934 as

the first Festival of Nations; to promote our

rich ethnic heritage.

History All Around Us: The Legacy of the Weirton Steel CompanySubmitted by Paul J. Zuros

Above: Assembling 8” Howitzer Shells at Weirton’s Shell Plantin 1944 - courtesy movie “Assignment Accomplished”

Above: Another scene of the 8” Howitzer Shell production in Weirton- courtesy movie “Assignment Accomplished”

Page 9

The following two pages are provided to let you knowthose businesses, organizations, and volunteers who havecontributed (many of them “behind the scenes” and other-wise unknown to the public) by volunteering time, effort,and materials to help the Weirton Area Museum and the2010 Festival of Nations bring you today’s event.

City of Weirton Installing Flags of All Nations along Main Street

Weirton Millsop Community Center rental

Comcast Local Edition Broadcast of Museum/Festival Interview

Mary H. Weir Public Library Printing of large flags for stage background

(Rik Rekowski, Pat Barnett, and Pam Makricosta) Provisions during the WQED documentary filming

Michael Nogay, Esq. “Every Home a Fort, Every Man a Warrior” .

Paper and Press, INK Discount on printing of flyers, letters, and programs.

Top of West Virginia CVB Printing of the 11 x 17 posters

Festival Advertising in Newspapers

Festival Advertising on Channel 9 TV and Comcast Cable

Wine and Beverage Merchants of West Virginia Provider of Large Festival Sign in Museum Window

Provider of large plasti-coated signs at key outdoor locations

Provider of Banner for Stage

WQED Composing and airing a story on the History of

Weirton and promoting the Festival of Nations

WEIR Radio and 106.3 The River Talk Show Interviews with Pam Makricosta and Dr. Luthra

Weirton Daily Times Extensive newspaper coverage

We also wish to thank Mayor Mark Harris, Michael Nogay, David Javersak, John Pandelios, Dennis Jones,

Juginder Luthra, Dolly Luthra, Tonia Caruso, Frank Caloiero, and others for their part in the filming by WQED.

The next page shows the list of those who helped with the 2010 Festival of Nations Committee and some of their

duties and contributions.

Page 10

Andrea Anderson , WAMCC Vice President ………..Display Table Covers and Labeling

Angie Angelos………………………………………..Stage Assistant

Victor Greco………………………………………….Italian Display

Dennis Jones, WAMCC President……………………Editor of WAMCC’s Historic Photo Gallery

“ “ “ Composer of WAMCC’s Historic Picture Calendars

“ “ “ Administrator of WAMCC’s Website

“ “ “ Designer / Assembler of 2010 Festival Medalions

“ “ “ Composer of the 2010 Festival of Nations Program Booklet

Argiro Latousakis…………………………………….Co-Chair of Signs & Posters

Gabi Lemley………………………………………….Stage Assistant

Tracy Lemley…………………………………………Front Desk Receptionist

Dolly Luthra…………………………………………..Master of Ceremonies - Cultural Program

Juginder Luthra ………………………………………WAMCC’s 2010 Festival Chairman

“ “ “ Stage Performance Coordinator

Pamela Makricosta, WAMCC Vice President………. Festival Publicity Director

Janet McFadden………………………………………Co-Chair of Flag Decorations

“ “ “ Stage Assistant

Despina Melonas , WAMCC Secretary………………Chair of Vendors and Beverages

John & Elma Pandelios……………………………….WAMCC Museum Gift Shop (Books, Calendars, History

“ “ “ “ Games, Tee Shirts, etc….)

Ed Powell……………………………………………..Front Desk Receptionist and Raffle

Nancy Pugh………………………………………….. Festival Committee Secretary

“ “ “ Co-Chair of Flag Decorations

“ “ “ Stage Assistant

Richard Reinard, Sr………………………………….. Weirton Historic Landmarks Commission (WHLC) Table

Rik Rekowski (Mary H. Weir Public Library)……….Greeter

Kim Salter…………………………………………….WHLC and WAMCC Display Table Assistant

Leah Shirer……………………………………………WHLC and WAMCC Display Table Assistant

George Sotraidis………………………………………American Legion Honor Guard

Joe Stankiewicz……………………………………….Stage Assistant

Rich Young…………………………………………...Co-Chair of Signs & Posters

Paul B. Zuros, WAMCC Treasurer…………………..Raffle Drawing

Paul J. Zuros………………………………………….Italian Display & Weirton Steel Story

Page 11

2010 Festival of Nations

VENDOR TABLES - 11:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m.

AFRICAN AMERICAN

GREECE

INDIA

ITALY - Pizza

ITALY - Pizzelles

POLAND

RUSSIA

SERBIA

USA

Mt. Olive Baptist Church - Earlean Jones

Philoptochos Society (All Saints Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Auxiliary)

India Palace Restaurant

DeFelice Bros. Pizza - Dominic DeFelice

Walter Ehnes

Yvonne Tuchalski

St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, - Patricia Shultz

Serbian American Cultural Center - Nick Jovanovich

Gus’s Goodies - Gus & Aggie Monezis

Page 12


DISPLAYS - 11:00 a.m. thru 4:00 p.m.

8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line

AFRICAN AMERICAN

Children’s Books from Around the World

DAR

Dolls from Around the World

Frontier People

GREECE

Hawaii

INDIA

ITALY

PAKISTAN

PHILIPPINES

POLAND

Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center

Weirton Historic Landmarks Commission

Weirton’s Historic Photo Gallery(on display throughout the building)

Bruce D. Garber

Bill Thompson

Dr. Maryann Ehle

Carol Skerbetz

Elma Pandelios & Mary Waskevich

Monte Pearson

Despina Melonas and Argiro Latousakis

Deb Witkowski

Juginder Luthra

Victor Greco and Paul J. Zuros

Shaheen Akhtar

Anna Paich

Yvonne Tuchalski

John G. Pandelios

Richard Reinard(with Kim Salter and Leah Shirer)

Dennis R. Jones

Page 13


OPENING CEREMONIES - 11:00 a.m.

“Stars and Stripes Forever”

Hoisting of the Flags

National Anthem

“God Bless the USA”

Welcome

Introduction of Museum Officers & Chairpersons

Introduction of Festival Volunteers

Proclamation

Remarks

Remarks

DJ Rico

American Legion Post 10 Honor GuardGeorge Sotraidis

Carrie Oliver

Victoria Gerst

Juginder Luthra, Festival Chairman

Dennis Jones, President

Juginder Luthra, Festival Chairman

Mayor Mark Harris

Senator Edwin J. Bowman

David M. Weir

Page 14


CULTURAL PROGRAM - 12:00 p.m.

Introductions

PARADE of NATIONSwith “We are the World” by DJ Rico

Dances of INDIA

“Take Me Home, Country Roads”

Dances of INDIA

COUNTRY MUSIC Dancing

AFRICAN AMERICAN Dances

GREECE

Music of SCOTLAND

AFRICAN AMERICAN Dances

Music of POLAND - Accordian

Dances of INDIA

CHINA

Classical Dances of INDIA

AMERICAN BLUE GRASS

Dolly Luthra, Master of Ceremonies

All Cultural Groups

Nandanik Dance Academy

Sheena Chopra

Nandanik Dance Academy

West Virginia / Ohio Line Dancers

Young Girls Praise Ministry of 2nd Baptist Church, Steubenville

Grecian Odyssey Dancers of Pittsburgh

Nila Boyd

Harambee of Youngstown

Thomas Zielensky - Accordian

Steel City Bhangra

Oriental Dance School

Teja Bedami & Meghan Bannerjee

Out of the Blue

Page 15

We are the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. We represent the 8th Pennsyl-

vania Regiment that was an integral part of George Washington’s army that fought in the

American Revolution from 1775 to 1783. The 8th fought the British army in the battles near

Philadelphia and later on protected the western frontier which included Western Pennsylvania,

West Virginia and Ohio. Our purpose is to tell the story of the soldiers and their families that

fought for our nations independence. We talk about their everyday existence and their roll in

our history. Please feel free to stop by our booth and look at our display. Feel free to talk to our

members and ask questions and take one of our brochures. If you have a love for history as we

do and would like to inquire about membership, please feel free to ask.

The Impact of Pizza While Growing Up ItalianSubmitted by Dominic DeFelice

Ever since I was a little boy, I can recall growing up in an Italian household, and the pizza my

Nonna would send to our house for us to enjoy. My Nonna (Grandma in Italian), would make

pizza whenever she made homemade bread. The pizza then was much different than what we

know as pizza today. It was very basic, dough rolled out flat, sometimes rectangular, sometimes

round, but it didn’t have near the toppings we see on pizza made today. Nonna would send two

different styles of pizza. The first would be topped with a basic tomato sauce, seasoned with

oregano, salt and pepper and you may find a spec of pepperoni, or cacciatore that she used to

help flavor the sauce. There was never cheese or a bunch of toppings on it, just the wonderful

flavor of fresh made Italian bread dough and a lite layer of pizza sauce. My Nonna always said,

to use oregano to make pizza sauce, and basil for spaghetti sauce. The second style of pizza was

what we referred to as Pizza Aglio-olio, which she would make by spreading out the dough and

rubbing on some olive oil, infused with chopped garlic and season with some salt and pepper.

Both styles of pizza could be wrapped in wax paper and stored in bread drawer for up to a

week; if we could leave it alone.

Like that really happened!

Dominic DeFeliceDeFelice Bros Pizza Inc

Submitted by Bruce D. Garber

Page 16

PIZZELLESubmitted by Walter Ehnes & Juginder Luthra

The Pizzelle man of Weirton, Mr. Walter Ehnes is carrying on the age old tradition of making

the typical Italian waffle cookies in the valley. The pizzelle originated in the Abruzzo region of

south-central Italy. The name comes from the Italian word for round and flat.

The cookie made its way to this area through Charles “Chip” DeMarco , a Steubenville resident

who invented the electric pizzelle iron in late 1940s. Until then the pizzelle were only made by

holding the iron pizzelle maker over a burner or stove top. They used to be very heavy and in-

efficient.

Pizzelles are made from flour, eggs, sugar, butter and different flavorings. According to Mrs.

DeMarco, as quoted in the Steubenville Herald Star on December, 26, 1984, the special ingredi-

ent that makes the pizzelle so good is a combination of lemon, orange and vanilla extract. Some

people prefer to use Anise oil as flavoring.

The cookie batter is poured into the pizzelle iron, which is heated either by electricity or on

stovetop. The iron makes a snowflake like pattern on both sides. It becomes crispy when taken

out and cooled off. These are particularly popular during Christmas and Easter. They, along

with other Italian cookies, are also commonly served at the marriage functions.

Stop in at the Pizzelle Man’s table and enjoy one of the favorite Italian cookies

Out of the BlueSubmitted by Debb Daugherty

Out of the Blue, based in Wheeling, plays an

eclectic blend of old and new bluegrass,

bluegrass gospel, and some occasional

“oldies” from the rock and roll days. Kim

and Bev West, husband and wife team from

Wheeling, play guitar and banjo, respec-

tively. Kim also has a fine hand with the fid-

dle, and he sets toes to tapping with fine old

fiddle tunes - the music of our Appalachian

Mountains.

Carlton Ferrell plays mandolin and joins Kim

occasionally for some fascinating ‘twin fid-

dle’ tunes. Deborah Daugherty plays upright

bass, and the group is very well-known for

their fine three- and four-part harmonies. Out of the Blue enjoys making music, and audiences

always enjoy Out of the Blue!

Out of the Blue

Page 17

Gus’s GoodiesSubmitted by Gus & Aggie Monezis

Around 1912, Gus Monezis, and his brother, George, immigrated from Greece to America. Gus

came to Weirton, WV, and began working at Weirton Steel Company. George moved to

McKeesport, PA, and became employed as a baker and cake decorator at the William Penn Ho-

tel. He later opened his own bakery, the Minerva Pastry Shop.

Gus had three sons and one daughter in Greece. After he got settled, he brought the entire fam-

ily to Weirton. Two of the sons, Nick and George, were taught the bakery business by great un-

cle George. Uncle George started Royal Pastry on Main Street in south Weirton. In the 1935,

Nick took over the business and young George went into the Army. In 1960, Nick's son, Gus

(named for his grandfather), and his daughter, Helen, and her husband, Nick, took over the op-

erations. Helen and her husband eventually moved to Illinois in 1969, and Gus became the sole

proprietor of the bakery. Gus then introduced his own wife, Aggie, and daughters to the busi-

ness.

Gus's Goodies may have seen a few name changes throughout the years, but it's still the same

family business that started so many years ago; and it's still located on Main Street in south

Weirton. What happened to the other Monezis bakers? Great uncle George had a son, George

Jr., and he had a son, Mark. They, along with George's wife, Irene, and daughter, Cathy, still

operate the bakery in McKeesport, PA. "My cousin, George Jr., has been my mentor over the

years," says Gus, "and I owe a lot to him for all he has taught me."

St. Nicholas Orthodox ChurchSubmitted by Patricia Shultz

St Nicholas Orthodox Church has been at its present location on Colliers Way since 1975.

Prior to moving to Colliers Way, it was located on Elm St just a block away from the Jimmy

Carey Football Stadium. The parish has members whose roots stem from Czechoslovakia, the

Carpatho-Mountain range of Europe, and from the eastern area of Russia, just to name a few.

The services of the Orthodox Church are rich in tradition and well known for their acappella

liturgical music. St. Nicholas Church itself is also well known for its homemade ethnic foods

including piroghies, halupki (cabbage rolls), and halushki (cabbage and noodles). These foods

are often available through luncheons and dinners held at the church as well as area festivals

including the annual Renaissance Festival in downtown Weirton. We are pleased to be a part of

this year’s Festival of Nations and offer these ethnic foods to the community once again. We

also welcome you to visit our church at any time and worship with us.

Page 18

India , or Bharatvarsh, is an ancient land with an-

cient civilizations that date back to centuries Before

Christ . It is the land of the Vedas, Yoga, Ayurveda,

Geometry, Trigonometry, Medicine , Astronomy,

etc. India has been inhabited by indigenous people

and people from various parts of the world who

came as invaders or merchants and made this land

their home. It boasts of peaceful coexistence of mul-

tiple religions like Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Chris-

tianity, Buddhism, Jainism etc. It is not surprising

that in a country as varied and diverse as India, there is such a wide gamut of cultural diversity,

especially in the field of dance, music , food, festivals, and culture.

Like all countries and people of the world, Indians too have a wide variety of dances to cele-

brate harvest, births, marriages, new year, festivals and even deaths. Each of the 27 different

states of India have their unique and colorful folk dances choreographed according to and

matching the songs sung in local languages or dialects. These dances are performed in groups

of men and women, or men, or women only with the local indigenous musical instruments ac-

companying the songs. Colorful costumes and jewelry add to the vibrancy. The popular folk

dances are Bhangra (Punjab), Dandiya, Raas(Gujarat), Kolattam( Tamil Nadu), Jhoomar

(Rajasthan), Bihu(Assam), etc. Besides folk dances, India boasts of 8 classical dance

styles with their respective grammar, history, and unique scientific form and structure like the

western ballet. Some of them date back more than 2000 years in history. These are mostly per-

formed solo and sometimes in groups. They are Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Mo-

hiniattam,Odissi, Manipuri, Kathak, Sattriya.The themes are mostly devotional, songs are often

sung in praise of a deity, a patron or a king. The techniques are passed down from Gurus or

maestros to their Shishyas or students through years of rigorous training.

Today we also see a great amount of global influence in the form of pop rock, jazz and hip hop

etc. The fusion has evolved a popular form of dance that is both international and Indian in fla-

vor, popularly termed as Bollywood dancing . This name is the one given to the Bombay

(Mumbai) film industry as its Hollywood counterpart. Bollywood dancing has mixture of both

Indian folk elements like Bhangra, etc along with modern dance styles.

Dance is a way of life, a way of expressing our emotions and a way to come together in love,

happiness and harmony. That has always been the main purpose of all Indian dances.

Dances of IndiaSubmitted by Nandini Mandal

Dancers of India Performing in Weirton - Nov. 18, 2006

Page 19

When E. T. Weir established the Phillips Sheet and Tin Plate Company in Weirton

in 1909, he needed workers who were willing to work hard. Immigrants from many European

nations moved to Weirton in order to fulfill their “American Dream.” Italian workers flocked

to Weirton. Many came from the same Italian villages. They knew one another and formed

close, almost familial relationships with each other once they settled in Weirton. Maintaining

their “old country” culture and traditions were very important to them and 100 years later Ital-

ian-Americans still take great pride in their Italian heritage and culture. One way the Italian-

American community continues to stay close is by listening to the all Italian radio program on

AM 1430 WEIR every Sunday morning. The program is called the Neapolitan Serenade and it

is hosted by Alphonse Ruggieri. Passing traditional old country recipes down from generation

to generation is another method of preserving the Italian heritage and customs, as well as nam-

ing children after their grandparents and great grandparents. Actively practicing these traditions

will help to insure that future generations of Italian-Americans will continue to maintain their

culture.

Greece is always more than a visitor expects - a long stretch of blue and clear sea,

splendid ruins of past glory, shops full of appealing folk craft, or a village tavern inviting the

visitor to enjoy a glass of wine.

To think of Greece is to think of its Mediterranean climate, which is as warm and pleasant in

the fall season as it is in the summer months. The visitor soon learns that most Greeks are

cheerful, hospitable, fun loving, unpredictable, and enthusiastic. They possess a great zest for

living.

Art enables people throughout the world to know, to understand, and to love each other. Dance,

too, is an art. Folk dances in particular are full of gentleness, of proving heroism, and of sudden

humor. Each Greek region has its own folk dances. Every folk dance, together with the accom-

panying music and costumes, discloses the characteristics of the life, the customs, and even the

character of the Greek people.

The magic of Greece works on you the moment you set foot in the country. If you combine

ample leisure with well planned sightseeing, you will find that Greece has equals for the wealth

and variety of impressions it leaves in the mind - these will remain cherished memories long

after your holiday or vacation is over.

GreeceSubmitted by Angie Angelos

The Italian-American CommunitySubmitted by Jolene Carpini Zuros

Page 20

Mount Olive Baptist ChurchSubmitted by Earlean Jones

The Mount Olive Baptist Church is a small Church on the corner of Weir Ave. and Kessel

Street. The food that we will be serving is of African American Heritage. These are the foods

that we grew up on, also the comfort food for some and for others it is your best Sunday dinner.

Most of what we will have will be an old southern, down-home meal, such as: Collard greens,

Potato Salad, Candied Yams, Black-eyed Peas & Corn Bread, and for dessert it will be Sweet

Potato Pie. We think these are the foods that best describe our culture.

The WV / Ohio Line DancersSubmitted by Janet McFadden

The WV / Ohio Line Dancers is a group

of individuals with a love for country

music. The group dance instructor is

Janie Wittmer from Mingo Junction,

Ohio. She has bee dancing for over 20

years. The other 15 line dancers have

joined the group over that 20-year period.

The dancers are geographically from all

over the Ohio Valley. This includes

Bloomingdale, Steubenville, Toronto,

Wintersville, Mingo Junction, Colliers,

Follansbee, and Wellsburg. The WV /

Ohio Line Dancers have danced in

Cleveland and Columbus, OH, New York

City, NY, Detroit, MI, Nashville, TN, and Pittsburgh, PA. The line dancers look forward to

their annual trip to Cleveland, Ohio to dance for the Cleveland Country Charities Program. It is

approximately 12 hours of continuous dancing for a cause. The funds raised during this benefit

are given to a different organization each year. We are honored to participate in the Festival of

Nations program and look forward to this annual event.

Line Dancers are: Victor Carducci, Norma Chivers, Lois Dami, Freda Dunn, Jane Grable, Deb-

bie Koehnlein, Dolly Law, Janet McFadden, Jennifer Mossor, Kathy Nocera, Jackie Perkins,

Jeanne Porter, Mary Lucille Smith, Maggie Stewart, Janie Wittmer, and Judy Wright.

WV / Ohio Line Dancers Performing in 2009 Festival of Nations in Weirton

Page 21

In 1909, Polish immigrants began arriving in the Ohio Valley

attracted by the prospect of working in the Phillips Sheet & Tin

Plate Company (later renamed to Weirton Steel Company).

These immigrants found opportunity to start a new life in

America away from their oppressed homeland of Poland.

Speaking no English, the Polish and other immigrant groups

tended to cluster together with whole neighborhoods holding to

their homeland culture and heritage.

In 1910, the Phillips Sheet & Tin Plate Company donated lots

on Avenue A for the establishment of a Catholic Church, which

opened in 1911 with Father Matthais Madert as the first parish

priest. The parish was made up of Catholics from all countries and took on the name of Sts.

Peter and Paul. Father Madert was replaced with Father Stanley Przybysz, who helped form the

fraternal organizations of the Polish National Alliance with the Casimir Pulaski Lodge 1504

established in 1912 and the Polish Roman Catholic Union St. Pauls Lodge 791 established in

1914. Father Przybysz was replaced by Rev. L. Monaco, and with the growing number of peo-

ple, Bishop Donahue soon decided to divide the Catholic congregation into two distinct par-

ishes: One serving the Poles exclusively with Father Pawlowski as pastor and the other serving

all other nationalities with Father A. D. McSwiggan as pastor (becoming St. Paul’s Parish).

In 1916, Bishop Donahue assigned Rev Fr. Andrew Wilczek as pastor of the Polish congrega-

tion, and with the help of Weirton Steel Co., the Polish congregation purchased three dwellings

on Avenue F, establishing a temporary school, a convent, and a rectory. The school was staffed

with Franciscan Sisters from the Order of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in St. Louis. Also the

PNA Henry Sienkiewicz Lodge 2090 was formed and renamed to the Frederick Chopin Lodge

in 1919. Also in 1919, the house on the corner of Avenue F was dismantled and construction

begam on the new Polish church and school building. The cornerstone was blessed September

14, 1919, and the beautiful Sacred Heart of Mary Church was dedicated on October 24, 1920.

In 1922, the Polish Women’s Alliance, Sacred Heart of Mary Group 331 was formed. Also, a

Polish band, funded by Weirton Steel Co., had been organized for ceremonial events. In 1942,

the PNA Thaddeus Kosciusko Lodge 3001 was organized, and the T. Kosciusko Hall was built

on Weirton Heights in 1946. This building was recently sold, but the PNA 3001 is still active.

On November 1, 1968, a new Sacred Heart of Mary Church was dedicated on Preston Avenue.

Many Polish customs, such as Easter food basket blessing are still maintained. Sacred Heart of

Mary Church activities reflect Polish heritage, especially in the Polka Mass, and the church has

a stained glass window that depicts the religious history and culture of Poland and America.

The Sacred Heart of Mary Church will be celebrating 100 years in 2011. Sto Lat !

Sacred Heart of Mary Church - Ave. F - 1968

Weirton’s Polish CommunitySubmitted by Yvonne Tuchalski

Page 22

Amartya

Jaya

Amaya

Ilan

Arjan

My Mother: Helen Zuleba

My Children: Clara Pizzuto

Debbie Lamb

Greg Little

Jeff Little

Leslee Little

My Father: John Zuleba

James C. Hair

Edward P. (Hammer) McFadden

Edwin and Berta Lancaster

Rexall G. Lancaster, Sr.

Lewis R. Anderson

Lexie Anderson

Our Brother Tom & Our Aunt Clara B. Ault

Our Father Okey & Mother Ruth Foutty

Helen & Nick Makricosta

Dimos & James G. Paschalis

Wilbur & Kathleen Carnahan

Submitted by Dolly & J. K. Luthra

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

Submitted by Justine Zebula

Submitted by Ruth Anne Foutty

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

Submitted by Justine Zebula

Submitted by Marjorie Greco

Submitted by Janet McFadden

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

Submitted by Caryl &

Ruth Anne Foutty

Submitted by Pam Makricosta

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

“ “ “ “ “ “ “

Page 23

Order of AHEPA

Goldie Baly

Greco Plumbing

Victor and Marjorie Greco

Judith Hamill

Linda A. Heilman

Dr. Jasbir Makar

Carolee and Daniel Sikora

Milton Zinaich, State Farm Insurance Agent

The following are bronze medal supporters of the 2010 Festival of Nations, eachcontributing $25 or greater:

Thanks for your help inPreserving Our History and Culture for Future Generations

Page 24

Christ United Methodist Church / Teresa Yoder

Fran and Tom Czernek

Mario’s Restaurant and DiCarlo’s Restaurant

Amar N. Khurana, M.D., Inc.

Anjali & Sudhir Malik, M.D.

John and Elma Pandelios

Parihar Medical Corporation

Penn-Way Pharmacy

Serra Village Retirement Community

Susan Smith

Steel-Wolfe Funeral Home, Inc.

United Bank, Inc.

Valley Surgical Center, LLC

Diana Wilson


The following are silver medal supporters of the 2010 Festival of Nations, each contributing$50 or greater:

Page 25

Ronnie and Sandi Briggs

DiBacco Properties, LLC

Eli and Sharon Dragisich

First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union

The Committee to Elect Dan Greathouse for State Senate

Grishkevich Law Office

Dr. Charan Nandra - Regional Cardiovascular & Medical Center, Inc.

Namita, Anil, Amartya, and Jaya

Orphy Klempa for Election of State Senate

Orion Development, Tom Banketas and Frank Neely

Dr. and Mrs. Gurdev S. Purewal

St. Joseph the Worker Parish

The James White Construction Company

Weirton Woman’s Club GFWC

The following are gold medal supporters of the 2010 Festival of Nations, eachcontributing $100 or greater:


Page 26

The following share the WAMCC rainbow medal and are sponsors of the 2010Festival of Nations, each contributing $250 or greater:

Shaheen Akhtar

Edward J. Jagela (Ohio Valley Vision Center)

Dolly and Juginder Luthra

Elisha Robinson

Weirton Medical Center

Starvaggi Charities, Inc.

The Weir Family


Page 27

EVERY HOME A FORT,EVERY MAN A WARRIOR

by Michael Edward NogayStories of the Forts and Men

in the Upper Ohio ValleyDuring the

American Revolutionary War128 Pages

Available for $15.00 Donation

WEIRTONA PAGEANT OF NATIONS

By Dennis Jonesfor the Weirton Area Museum and

Cultural CenterHistory in Weirton 1909-1947 includ-ing name listings, details, and photo-

graphs for the Festival of NationsPageants 1934 thru 1944.

64 PagesAvailable for $6.00 Donation

The Weirton Area History GameIncludes 1000 history questions, and hun-dreds of History Information Cards with

maps, pictures, and information. Allcards are preserved in rigid plastic.

Game also includes game tin and silentHistory Picture Show DVD

Available for $50.00 Donation

www.weirtonmuseum.com

Page 28

2010 “All Aboard for the History Tour” 2010 “For Future Generations”

2011 “A Blast from the Past” 2011 “On With the Show”

2012 “Marching Into History”

2013 “Market to Market A to Z”

Each calendar has 15 large historic scenes in

Weirton (each picture size 8.5 x 11).

There will be 2 calendars offered for each year

starting in 2010 (those from 2010 are sold out,

but the other ones shown on this page are now

available, with more to come). Visit our Mu-

seum Gift Shop table and preserve these scenes

within your family for generations to come.

Calendars available for $8.00 donation each.

2014 “Fill ‘er Up with History”

Also, please ask if you would like a separate photo from those calendars that are completely soldout and no longer available.

Preserving Our History and Culturefor Future Generations

P.O. Box 517Weirton, WV 26062

www.weirtonmuseum.com

2010 festival souvenir program booklet

Documents